1  ''1  lij,  «t 

1 

I 

i 

- 

NATIONAL  WAR  WORK  COUNCIL 

OF  THE 

YOUNG  MEN'S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATIONS 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 

Headquarters,  124  East  28th  Street,  New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

William  Sloane,  Chairman;  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  Treasurer;  John  R.  Mott,  Genera! 
Secretary. 

Associate  General  Secretaries— F.  S.  Brockman,  J.  S.  Tichenor,  C.  R.  Towson,  C.  V. 
Hibbard. 

BUREAU  OF  FINANCE 

Chairman,  George  W.  Perkins.  Director,  A.  H.  Whitford.  Comptroller,  Halsey 
Hammond. 

NATIONAL  CAMPAIGN  COMMITTEE 

Cyrus  H.  McCormick,  George  W.  Perkins,  William  Sloane,  Wm.  Fellowes  Morgan, 
Lewis  A.  Crossett,  F.  W.  Ayer,  E.  J.  Couper,  John  J.  Eagan. 

John  R.  Mott,  F.  S.  Brockman,  L.  Wilbur  Messer,  Charles  S.  Ward,  Halsey  Ham- 
mond. 

A.  H.  Whitford,  National  Campaign  Director. 

MILITARY  DEPARTMENT  CAMPAIGN  HEADQUARTERS 
Eastern—         Headquarters:  New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

F.  W.  Ayer,  Department  Campaign  Chairman. 
John  W.  Cook,  Department  Campaign  Director. 

Northeastern  — Headquarters  :  Boston,  Mass. 

Hon.  James  Logan,  Department  Campaign  Chairman. 

Fred  J.  Nichols,  Department  Campaign  Director. 
Southeastern— Headquarters:  Atlanta,  Ga. 

John  J.  Eagan,  Department  Campaign  Chairman. 

C.  K.  Calhoun,  Department  Campaign  Director. 
Central—         Headquarters:  Chicago,  111. 

E.  J.  Couper,  Department  Campaign  Chairman. 

K.  A.  Shumaker,  Department  Campaign  Director. 
Western—        Headquarters:  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

Lyman  L.  Pierce,  Department  Campaign  Director. 
Southern—       Headquarters:  Dallas,  Tex. 

G.  S.  Bilheimer,  Department  Campaign  Director. 
STATE,  DISTRICT,  COUNTY  AND  CITY  CAMPAIGN  DIRECTORS 

In  each  State  and  District,  also  in  leading  Counties  and  Cities,  Campaign  Director* 
under  the  direction  of  Committees  authorized  by  the  State  organization,  will  promote 
the  campaign. 

CAMPAIGN  ORGANIZATION  RELATIONSHIPS 
As  far  as  possible,  County,  City  and  Town  Campaign  Committees  in  need  of  assi8= 
tance  w.ll  deal  d.rect  w.th  the  District  Campaign  Committee,  the  District  with  the 
State  Campa.gn  Committee  the  State  with  the  Department  Campaign  Committee,  and 

N:tio::.a;v::^orclcT,at,ona,  Campaign  Commi"- the  ^—-^ 


NATIONAL  CAMPAIGN,  NOVEMBER  11-19. 


The  Story  of  the  Red  Triangle 


Great  issues  are  at  stake  during  these  dark  war  da  us.  Hut  the 
oreatest  issue  of  all  is  whether  our  mi II ions  of  boys,  who  go  with  the 
colors,  shall  keep  true  to  their  home  ideals. 

The  Story  of  the  Red  Triangle  tells  how  the  1  oung  Men's  Chris- 
tian A  ssocia  ions  of  the  United  States  hare  accepted  the  challenge 
and  are  attempting  to  meet  this  titanic  issue. 

Every  patriotic  American  interested  in  lie  welfare  of  ovr  boys  in 
khaki  will  be  interested  also  in  this  account  of  a  splendid  service 
rendered  them  in  every  military  center  in  tin  (  nited  Stales  and 
abroad. 


A  Message 
from  President 
Wilson 

To  JohnR.Mott: 

"May  I  not,  in 
view  of  the  ap- 
proaching meeting 
of  the  War  Work 
Council,  express  to 
you  the  very  high 
value  I  have  at- 
tached to  the  work 
which  has  been 
accomplished  by 
the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Associa- 
tion in  behalf  of 
our  own  A  r  m  y 
and  Navy  as  well 
as  in  behalf  of  the 
prisoners-of-w  ai- 
and  the  men  in 
the  training  camps 
of  Europe,  and 
may  I  not  express 
also  my  sincere 
personal  interest  in  the  large  pi  ans  of 
the  War  Work  Council  for  the  work 
which  is  still  ahead  of  the  Association?" 

President  Wilson's  Executive 
Order 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion has,  in  the  present  emergency,  as 
imder  similar  circumstances  in  the  past, 
tendered  its  services  for  the  benefit  of 
enlisted  men  in  both  arms  of  the 
service.  This  organization  is  prepared 
by  experience,  approved  methods  and 


HON.   WOODROW   U  1LSON 


assured  resources, 
to  serve  especially 

the  troops  in  camp 
and  (i.  Id.  [t  seems 
best  for  (he  inter- 
est of  Hie  Service 
that  it  shall  con- 
tinue as  a  volun- 
tary civilian  organ- 
ization; however, 
the  results  ob- 
tained are  .so  bene- 
ficial and  bear 

SUCh  a,  direct,  rela- 
tion to  efficiency, 
inasmuch  as  the 
AsSOCiat  inn  provi- 
sion contributes 
to  the  happiness, 
•  ■mil  cut ,  and  mor- 
ale of  t  he  person- 
mi,  thai  in  order 
to  unify  the  civil- 
ian betterment  ac- 
tivities in  the 
Army,  and  to  fur- 
ther the  work  of 
the  organization 
that  has  d<  mon- 
strated  its  ability  to  render  a  service 
desired  by  both  officers  and  men, 
official  recognition  is  hereby  given  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  as 
a  valuable  adjunct  and  asset  to  the 
service.  Officers  are  enjoined  to 
render  the  fullest  practicable  assist- 
ance and  co-operation  in  the  main- 
tenance and  extension  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, both  at  permanent  posts  and 
stations  and  in  camp  and  field.  To 
this  end  attention  of  officers  is  called 
to  the  precedent  and  policy  already 
established. 


Newton  D.  Baker,  Secretary  of  War: 

"For  many  years  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  has  been 
established  as  a  prominent  feature  of  army 
life  in  times  of  peace.  The  war,  however, 
has  developed  for  it  a  degree  of  promi- 
nence far  larger  and  a  field  of  usefulness 
far  wider  than  even  its  friends  could  have 
hoped.  Its  capacity  for  mobilization  on 
a  large  scale  and  the  readiness  with  which 
it  has  fitted  itself  to  the  needs  of  the  troops 
in  training-camps  and  trenches  in  this 
great  world  war  make  it  an  indispensable 
factor  in  any  future  military  plans.  It 
provides  for  the  social  side — t  he  home  side 
— of  the  life  of  the  soldier  and  its  influ- 
ence in  rationalizihg  the  strange  environ- 
ment into  which  this  crisis  has  plunged 
our  young  men  has  been  and  will  be  most 


Josephus  Daniels,  Secretary  of  th» 

Navy  :  "From  every  standpoint,  military, 
political,  moral,  it  is  our  duty  to  protect 
these  youths  so  we  can  say  to  the  mother* 
when  the  war  is  over,  'We  return  yout 
sons  as  worthy  your  family  circle  as  whei 
they  left  it.' " 

Major-Genera!  John  J.  Pershing  (re- 
cent cable  from  France) :  "The"  work  now 
being  done  by  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  for  thf 
comfort  and  entertainment  of  our  soldiers 
in  France  is  very  important.  As  an  or- 
ganization, its  moral  influence  is  highh 
beneficial.  It  performs  a  real  service  thai 
makes  for  contentment.  The  Y.  M.  C.  A 
has  won  its  place  by  unselfish  personal  de- 
votion to  the  soldiers'  welfare  and  deserves 
staunch  support  by  our  people  at  home." 


beneficent." 

Dr.  John  R.  Mott,  n vntly  returned  from  Russia,  says  of  the  Association  work 
here  and  overseas:  "What  we  do  for  these  our  brothers  who  constitute  our  first  line 
of  defense,  we  must  do  quickly.  Anything  our  trusted  military  and  Association  lead, 
ers  in  Europe  ask  us  to  do,  we  must  do  without  hesitation  or  grudging  May  some- 
thing of  the  spirit  which  leads  these  soldiers  to  offer  their  lives  even  unto  death,  prompt 
us  to  place  with  prodigal  hand  every  facility  and  comfort,  at  their  disposal." 

Viscount  James  Bryce  says:  "I  have  heard  from  everv  quarter,  including  manv 
naval  and  military  authorities,  the  warmest  acknowledgment  of  the  excellent  work 
done  by  the  \ .  M.  C.  A  during  these  terrible  years  of  war.  for  the  British  and  Cana- 
dian and  Australian  soldiers  both  in  the  camps  here  and  at  home  and  among  the  troops 
Z^TT  f  "  fr0nt8,  T  b6lieVe  that  th(>  Ameriran  Associations,  which  will 
STJSl^?!!!  °,n'  'Xp0rienr°-  ^  ™*  true  American  energy,  and  render 
FrLT'  P7lb,Ve,'V1PeS  »  France  to  those  Am«rican  soldiers  whom'  Britain  and 
France  rejo.ce  to  welcome  as  their  Allies  in  this  fight  for  Right  and  Freedom  " 


National    War    Work  Council 

HE  Young  Men's  Christ ian 
Association  is  on  a  war  basis. 

America's  entrance  into  the 
Great  War  meant  millions  of 
our  boys  in  training  camps  in 
this  country  or  at  the  front 
somewhere  in  France.'  Parents  at  once 
inevitably  raised  the  question— "Who  will 
keep  the  home  ties  from  breaking  when 
our  sons  join  the  colors?  " 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tions of  the  United  States  volunteered  for 
this  service.  They  assumed  this  tremen- 
dous responsibility  with  confidence  be- 
cause of  their  notably  successful  experience 
with  our  troops  on  the  Mexican  border, 
because  of  the  heroic  interest  of  their 
many  friendly  supporters,  because  of  the 
eagerness  with  which  government  officials 
cooperate,  and  because  there  seems  to  be 
a  supreme  opportunity  to  render  Chris- 
tian service. 

When  the  break  with  Germany  came 
Dr.  John  R.  Mott,  General  Secretary  of 
the  International  Committee  of  Young 
Men's  Christian  Associations,  immedi- 
ately communicated  with  the  President, 
and  tendered  him  the  support  and  co- 
operation of  the  Associations.  Through 
the  swift  cooperation  of  city  and  state 
organizations  the  entire  movement  was 
quickly  under  way. 

A  National  War  Work  Council,  com- 
posed of  leading  citizens,  was  organized 
to  direct  the  Association  program  among 
enlisted  men.  This  ''War  Department"  of 
the  Association  has  erected  hundreds  of 
large  buildings — centers  of  friendliness 
providing  physical,  educational,  social  and 
religious  activities — for  our  own  troops 
wherever  they  are,  and  is  yet  to  do  so  for 
the  French,  Russian  and  Italian  soldiers. 

President  Wilson  not  only  issued  a  gen- 
eral order  giving  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association  a  recognized  standing  in 
the  Army  and  Navy,  but,  he  also  expressed 
to  the  National  War  Work  Council  his 
estimate  of  the  "very  high  value"  of  the 
work  of  the  Association  in  behalf  of  en- 
listed men. 

Since  then  much  has 
been  accomplished. 
Millions  of  dollars 
have  been  raised  and 
wisely  spent.  Mill- 
ions of  soldiers  have 
felt  the  home  touch 
and  have  had  their 
manhood  safeguard- 
ed. And  the  end  is 
not  yet.  In  fact,  the 
greatest  possibilities 
of  service  for  the  Red 
Triangle  undoubt- 
edly are  ahead. 


Che  National  War  Work  Council  of 
the  Wing  Men's  Christian  Associations 
pi  the  I  nited  States  directs  its  affairs 
t nrougn  an  Execut  ive  t  Jommil  t  ee,  of  which 
w  linam  Sloane  is  Chairman;  \\  illiam  Fel- 
lowes  Morgan,  Vice-Chairman. 

Six  Depart  incuts  have  been  established 
corresponding  in  general  to  the  Military 
Departments  of  the  country,  as  follows:' 

The    Northeastern  Department. 

Headquarters,  107  Tremonl  Street  Bos- 
mi,  Mass  ;  E.W  .  Hearne,  Execut ive  Secre- 
tary, lied  Iriangle  service  is  being  con- 
ducted at  u  centers  where  146  secretaries 
are  at  work. 

The    Eastern     Department.  Head- 

quarters,  124  East  28th  Street,  New  York 
City;  A.  (i.  Knebel,  Executive  Secretary. 
Lnere  are  IIS  centers  or  units  where  ISO 
secretaries  are  at  work. 

The  Southeastern  Department.  1  h  id 

quarters,  310  Central  Y .  M.  c.  a.  Build- 
ing, Atlanta,  Ga.J  S.  A.  Aekley,  Execu- 
tive Secretary.  There  are  <)»>  centers 
where  327  secretaries  are  at  work. 

The     Central     Department.  Head 

quarters.  Room  1012,  in  South  La  Salle 
Street,  Chicago,  111.;  A.  II.  Lichty,  Exe- 
cutive Secretary.  There  are  1  l.r>  centers 
where        secretaries  are  at  work. 

The  Southern  Department.  Head- 
quarters, 505  Bedell  Building,  San  An- 
tonio, Texas;  W.  E.  Adams,  Executive 
Secretary.  There  are  !)S  centers  where  77 
secretaries  are  at  work. 

The  Western  Department.  Head- 
quarters, ;-)l<)  First  National  Hank  Build- 
ing, San  Francisco,  Cab;  F.  A.  MeCarl, 
Executive  Secretary.  There  are  85  cen- 
ters where  103  secretaries  are  at  work. 

The  Overseas  work  with  the  American 
Expeditionary  Forces  and  with  the  armies 
of  France,  Italy  and  Russia.  Headquar- 
ters, 124  East,  28th  Street,  New  York 
City;  (1  V.  Hibbiird,  Executive  Secretary; 
10.  C.  (Jailer  and  li.  I,.  Ewing  in  Great 
Britain,  10.  C.  Carter  arid  I)  A.  Davis  in 
France:   A.  ( '.  Harte  in  Russia. 


TYPICAL  Y.  M.  O.  A.  BUILDING  FOR   KNLISTED  MEN 


SEVEN  Bureaus  arc  specializing  on 
particular  lines  of  work. 
To  the  Bureau  of  Personnel  is  as- 
signed the  task  of  securing  leadership — 
of  finding,  training  and  placing  an  ade- 
quate secretarial  force  to  meet  the 
pressing  demands  of  the  work  at  home 
and  overseas. 

With  the  cooperation  of  friends, 
strong,  capable  men  have  been  re- 
cruited from  the  ranks  of  business  and 
professional  life  to  supplement  the  in- 
sufficient number  of  experienced  Asso- 
ciation officers  available. 

Scores  of  America's  best  religious 
leaders  are  serving,  many  without  pay, 
and  all  at  personal  sacrifice.  City  and 
State  Associations,  as  well  as  the  Inter- 
national Committee,  have  released  some 
of  their  best  men  at  the  grave  risk  of 
crippling  their  own  work. 

Over  10,000  men  from  many  callings  in 
life  have,  without  solicitation,  applied  for 
war  work  service.  One  thousand  others 
haveresponded  to  direct  personal  appeals. 
Such  high  standards  have  been  set  that 
many  who  apply  cannot  be  accepted. 

The  two  Young  Men's  Christian  As- 
sociation Colleges,  as  well  as  six  Sum- 
mer Schools  providing  war  work  courses, 
have  already  trained  830  men.  Hun- 
dreds more  are  now  in  training.  The 
Work  will  call  for  4,234  secretaries  by 
July  1,  1918,  in  addition  to  the  nearly 
2,000  now  at  work. 

The  Bureau   of  Materiel  has  to  do 

with  equipment  and  supplies.  Over  400 
outfits,  costing  approximately  $400,000, 
have  been  bought  and  delivered. 

An  outfit  consists  of  about  100  sep- 
arate items,  comprising  among  other 
things  piano,  stereopticon,  talking 
machine  and  records,  lrymn  books, 
games,  medicine  balls,  indoor  baseballs,' 
motion  picture  machines,  paste,  pick- 


axes, baseball  gloves,  postcards,  sta- 
tionery, pillows,  blankets,  pocket  tes- 
taments, pails,  fire  extinguishers,  books, 
typewriters,  uniform,  mess  kits,  and 
automobile  trucks. 

In  July  purchases  began  for  secre- 
taries with  American  Expeditionary 
Forces  in  France.  Shipments  valued  at 
about  $200,000  have  gone  forward  in 
over  a  dozen  ships.  These  shipments 
include,  besides  the  regular  outfits,  such 
materials  as  tents,  chairs,  lighting 
plants,  sugar,  flour,  chocolate,  biscuits, 
soda  fountains,  rubber  roofing,  carpen- 
ters' outfits,  shoe  repair  kits  and  hair 
clippers. 

The    Bureau    of  Construction  is 

charged  with  designing  and  erecting 
the  structures  for  housing  the  Associa- 
tion work  in  the  various  military  cen- 
ters. The  standard  buildings,  called 
"huts"  overseas,  are  constructed  to 
withstand  the  rigors  of  winter.  They 
are  usually  only  one  story  high  and 
about  40x120  in  floor  area.  The  cost 
in  this  country  is  $6,000  and  in  France 
$15,000. 

The  Bureau   of  Publicity   helps  to 

feed  and  guide  the  stream  of  publicity 
which  appears  in  various  mediums 
throughout  the  country. 

The  Bureau  of  Physical  Work  is 
charged  with  helping  secure  physical 
directors  for  the  camps  and  with  de- 
veloping an  adequate  program  of  recrea- 
tion for  the  enlisted  men. 

Each  Association  building  and  tent  is 
equipped  with  a  comprehensive  athletic 
equipment.  The  activities  include  base- 
ball, basketball,  volley  ball,  quoits,  box- 
ing, wrestling,  athletic  meets. 

In  one  camp  volley  ball  games  were 
successfully  substituted  for  the  "crap" 
games  which  began  to  appear.  In  three 
camps  all  men  were  detailed  to  report  to 
the  physical  director  for  swimming 
instruction.  In  another  camp  131 
commissioned  officers  were  organ- 
ized into  an  athletic  officers'  school 
instructed  by  physical  directors. 

One  man  at  each  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
center  specializes  on  physical  activ- 
ilics,  working  always  in  complete 
1  am  ony  with  military  authorities. 
These  recreational  features  have 
undoubtedly  added  tremendously 
to  the  contentment  and  morale  of 
the  men  and  have  helped  greatly 
in  their  physical  conditioning. 


DUGOUT  NEAR  THE  FRONT 


This  bureau  also  cooperates  with  the 
Temperance  Committee  of  the  Fedenl 
Council  of  Churches  in  carrying  out  a 
sane,  comprehensive  and  vigorous  pro- 
gram of  temperance  education. 

The  Bureau  of  Education  is  re- 
sponsible for  lectures,  practical  talks 
entertainments,  libraries,  motion  pic- 
tures clubs,  classes  and  courses  in 
*rench  and  other  subjects,  and  infor- 
mation bureaus. 

Secretaries  emphasize  the  value  of 
educational  activities  in  every  army 
and  navy  Association.  Thousands  are 
taught  French,  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  magazines  are  read,  millions  of  feet 
of  motion  picture  films  furnish  good 
cheer  and  entertainment. 

Books  and  magazines  are  given  by 
local  and  state  libraries  and  by  the 
War  Service  Committee  of  the  Amer- 
ican Library  Association.  Already  over 
100,000  volumes  have  been  provided. 
A  dictionary  and  twenty  standard  reli- 
gious works  arc  furnished  each  center. 

University  Extension  Departments  of 
27  institutions  gratuitously  supply  lec- 
tures, text  books,  courses  of  instruction, 
teachers  and  lantern  slides.  Govern- 
ment agencies  also  provide  pictures  and 
illustrative  materials. 

The  Bureau  of  Religious  Work  is 
in  charge  of  the  definitely  religious  ac- 
tivities such  as  Bible  study,  personal 
interviews  and  mass  meetings. 

Over  100,000  New  Testaments  have 
been  carefully  distributed.  The  de- 
mand greatly  exceeds  the  supply.  The 
Bible  study  policy  in  common  with  that 
of  the  National  Sunday  School  War 
Council  is  an  organized  Bible  class  in 
every  company  of  our  entire  enlisted 
force.  Hundreds  of  such  classes  have 
already  been  started. 

Sixteen  directors  of  music  have 
been  appointed.  Mass  singing  is 
promoted  in  cooperation  with 
the  Government  Commission  on 
Training  Camp  Activities. 

One  hundred  and  twenty-eight 
religious  work  specialists  are  in  the 
field.  Secretaries  giving  special 
emphasis  to  religious  activities 
are  assigned  to  every  unit  of  work. 

A  Cooperating  Committee  of 
Church  leaders  of  which  Bishop 
Luther  B.  Wilson  is  Chairman  is 
rendering  valuable  service.  Sec- 
retaries also  work  hand  in  hand 
with  the  Army  Chaplains. 


A  Committee  on  Speakers  and  one 
on  Emertjnners  directed  by  experts 
secure  and  route  speakers  and  enter- 
tainers to  military  centers  where  thev 
appear  under  the  auspiees  of  the  Young 
Men  s  C  hnstian  Association. 

Prominent  speakers  to  men,  educa- 
tors ami  superior  entertainment  talent 
are  placed  in  camps  to  the  great  delight 
ot  the  soldiers.  Most  of  these  speakers 
receive  expenses  only  and  seme  provide 
oven  their  own  travel  charges. 

Several  special  committees  are:  Com- 
mittee on  Transportation.  Dr.  John  P 
Munn,  Chairman;  John  P.  Moore.  s,v- 
''ftary.  i  ommittw  on  Soldi,  rs  of  the 
soil,  Ralph  \X.  Harbison,  Chairman: 
Albert  E.  Roberts,  Secretary.  Com- 
mittee for  ( !ooperation  with  Y .'  W. C.  A., 
W  llliam  Sloane,  Chairn  an.  Committee 
on  Conference  with  Inderal  Council  of 
the  Churches  of  (  hrist  in  America, 
Bishop  Luther  B.  Wilson,  (  hairman 

The  Social  Side  0f  the  Association's 
program  is  emphasized.  'I  Ins  war  work 
undoubtedly  presents  the  most  unique 
possibilities  for  social  contact  with  men 
ever  faced  by  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association.  Every  man  who 
enters  an  Association  building  gets  a 
sincere  greeting  "in  a  friendly  sort  of 
way."  A  s|  irit  of  hospitality  and  home 
always  prevails. 

Whether  he  is  being  served  with 
cocoa,  sold  a  postage  Man  p,  given 
stationery  on  which  to  write  home, 
entertained  by  the  talking  ac]  me  or 
piano,  provided  with  canes  chess, 
checkers,  dominoes— or  furnished  soap, 
candles  or  matches,  a  clean  sociable  at- 
mosphere is  maintained. 

Many  informal  social  tin  es  are  pro- 
moted. Small  groups  are  entertained  in 
Christian  homes.  Other  groups  are 
taken  on  outings  and  sight-seeing  lours. 


KEEPING  PHYSICAL  FITNESS  IN  THE  NAVY 


The  Opportunity  in  Russia 

RUSSIA  has  called  to  the  colors 
since  the  war  began  over  13,- 
000,000  men,  the  largest  army  ever 
assembled  by  any  one  nation  in  the 
history  of  the  world.  About  7,000,000 
in  the  Russian  army  today  are  carrying 
the  tremendous  responsibility  of  main- 
taining the  war  on  the  long  drawn-out 
eastern  front. 

It  is  of  supreme  importance  that  the 
morale  of  these  troops  be  maintained  so 
that  their  critical  duty  may  be  per- 
formed most  effectively  and  faithfully. 

To  introduce  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association  work  among  these  mil- 
lions is  perhaps  the  greatest  single 
opportunity  for 
Christian  service 
that  has  ever  been 
presented  to  the 
American  people. 

It  should  mean 
the  development  of 
a  greater  working 
efficiency  and  a 
truly  triumphant 
spirit  among  the 
Russian  soldiers, 
which  in  view  of  the 
perilously  unsettled 
conditions  arc  of 
vital  importance. 

Leading  officials 
In  state,  church  and 
army  circles  are 
heartily  welcoming 
the  work  already 
started  and  are 
looking  forward  en- 
thusiastically to  its 
enlargement.  Sev- 
eral points  have 
been  organized  and 
qualified  American 
leaders  are  being 
sent. 

"It  is  not,"  says 
Dr.  Mott.who  has  re- 
cently visited  Rus- 
sia as  a  member  of 
President  Wilson's 
Special  Mission,  "an 
optional  matter 
whether  or  not  we 
shall  enter  this  door; 
it  is  obligatory.  By 
this  I  mean  it  is 
God's  call  and  cannot  be  denied." 


The  Opportunity  in  France 


T 


HE  brilliant  French  Army  opens 


MAJOR-GENERAL  HUGH  L.  SCOTT 
A  member  of  President  Wilson's  Commission  to 
Russia. 


"Every  idea  that  reaches  the  Russian 
people  now  will  bear  fruit — good  or 
eml  according  to  what  is  sown— for 
many  years  to  come.  It  is  for  this 
reason  that  I  am  deeply  interested  in 
the  great  effort  which  is  being  made  to 
raise  a  large  sum  for  the  prosecution 
of  the  work  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  in  Russia.  It 
appeals  to  me  as  an  American,  as  a 
soldier  and  as  a  Christian;  it  will 
help  the  Russians  and  it  will  also 
help  us." 


which  must  be  entered. 

After  the  American  Expeditionary 
Force  had  reached  France  and  the  Red 
Triangle  work  was  established  among 
our  troops,  the  leaders  at  the  National 
War  Work  Council  headquarters  were 
challenged  by  a  cablegram  authorizing 
this  statement  from  General  Pershing: 
"The  greatest  service  that  America  can 
immediately  render  France  is  to  extend 
the  Association  work  to  the  entire 
French  army." 

The  Association  is  asked  to  send  over 
at  least  500  thoroughly  capable  Amer- 
ican secretaries  to 
provide  for  the  ser- 
vice of  the  4,000,000 
French  troops. 
Some  have  already 
sailed.  Others  will 
follow.  If  any  body 
of  men  in  the  world 
have  a  claim  upon 
our  instant  and  full 
response  it  is  this 
wonderful  body  of 
fighting  men. 

There  are  about 
3,000  camps  for 
these  troops  in 
France  where  the 
Red  Triangle  service 
ought  to  be  started 
and  where  it  would 
be  heartily  wel- 
comed by  promi- 
rent  officials.  To  do 
the  work  as  effec- 
tively as  it  is  being 
done  in  the  British 
army  in  France 
would  require  about 
1,000  huts. 

This  work  among 
the  French  troops, 
however,  will  be 
started  at  present  at 
only  about  100  cen- 
ters, with  the  hope 
that  it  will  be  ex- 
tended to  at  least 
one  thousand.  Huts 
will  be  erected  at  the 
earliest  possible  mo- 
ment and  the  activi- 
ties prosecuted  and  expanded  with  vigor. 


The  Opportunity  in  Italy 

A SUMMONS  comes  from  Italy 
also.  Judging  from  reports, 
this  bids  fair  to  be  one  of  the  most  sig- 
nificant and  moving  calls  which  has 
come  to  Christian  America.  A  com- 
mission, headed  by  Francis  B.  Sayre, 
has  recently  returned  from  a  careful 
study  of  the  situation  in  Italy  and  re- 
ports that  a  most  cordial  welcome  is 
awaiting  the  cooperation  of  the  Asso- 
ciation among  the  troops  of  this  tri- 
umphant army.  The  British  Associa- 
tions will  also  cooperate  in  this  work 
in  Italy. 

Leaders  recognized  by  military  au- 
thorities have  definitely  invited  and 
urged  the  National  War  Work  Council 
to  send  at  least  200  secretaries  to  assist 
in  developing  the  work  already  started 
in  140  centers,  and  in  introducing  it  in 
new  centers. 

There  are  also  calls  for  Red  Triangle 
service  to  be  rendered  in  cooperation 
with  the  British  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  which  has 
established  the  Association  program 
among  the  troops  of  our  allies  in  Egypt, 
East  Africa,  Palestine,  Mesopotamia, 
India. 

The  British  and  Colonial  Associations 
are  doing  heroic  service  among  troops 
from  Britain  and  from  the  British  do- 
minions and  colonies.  Millions  of  dol- 
lars have  been  spent  and  millions  *of 
men  helped.  The  American  Associa- 
tions must  cooperate  in  every  possible 
way. 

The  Opportunity  Among 

Prisoners  of  War 

^J^ITH  all  our  preoccupation  with 
^  ~  the  many  millions  under  arms, 
the  six  millions  of  men  and  boys  lan- 
guishing in  prisoner-of-war  camps 
throughout  the  warring  countries  must 
not  be  forgotten. 

The  problem  of  serving  them  is  diffi- 
cult beyond  measure.  Thousands  of 
prisoners  are  concentrated  in  a  con- 
fined area.  They  are  of  all  ages,  from 
young  boys  to  men  over  seventy.  They 
are  of  every  social  class,  in  every  degree 
of  misery  and  desolation,  torn  away 
from  everything  they  understand  and 
hold  dear. 

To  organize  them  for  helpful  games 
and  occupations,  to  employ  their  powers 
in  any  useful  way,  to  teach,  to  supply 
books,  musical  instruments,  writing  ma- 


FKANCIS  H.  SAYRE  and  L,  A.  OROSSBTT 


Mr  Crossett,  recently  returned  from  the  Western 
battleline  in  France,  sa/s:  "When  our  American 
soldiers  first  arrived  in  the  little  French  village,  where 
then  are  quartered,  no  provision  had  been  maite  for 
their  entertainment  In  man;/  places  there  was  not  a 
store  wlicrt  then  might  purchase  anything  and  facili- 
ties for  any  amusement  were  alloget \er  lacki  ng.  The 
only  thinn  they  could  buy  was  the  wine  stored  in 
every  householder's  cdlar. 

'  There  has  been  a  treat  change  since  the  Associa- 
tion has  come.  Hasebull  games,  boxing  middies,  news- 
papers and  lively  music  arc  on  hand,  to  the  delight  of 
everybody.  Buildings  have  been  erected  with  full 
equipment  in  all  of  Vie.se  villages." 

terials,  clothing,  to  put  them  in  com- 
munication with  their  families,  to  help 
them  to  the  consolations  of  their  own 
religion,  and  to  lead  them  on  to  help 
themselves  and  face  life  with  new  hope 
— this  is  to  rebuild  a  new  tissue  of 
civilization  out  of  these  pathetic  groups 
of  humanity. 

Each  of  the  warring  nations  is  doing 
all  it  can  for  the  prisoners  in  its  hands; 
but  their  enormous  numbers  and  the 
concentration  of  all  the  nation's  ener- 
gies on  the  fight  for  life  leave  only  bare 
necessaries  for  prisoners.  One  young 
American  in  a  camp  where  there  are 
seventy  thousand  prisoners  has  organ- 
ized nearly  two  thousand  Austrian  and 
German  prisoners  into  classes  studying 
a  score  of  subjects. 

American  secretaries  are  now  working 
among  the  war  prisoners  in  different 
countries. 


The  Opportunity  with  Our 
Own  Troops 

MOST  important  and  pressing  of 
all  is  the  Association's  oppor- 
tunity of  serving  our  own  American 
troops  at  home  and  abroad — to  afford 
them  wholesome  recreation,  opportu- 
nity for  study,  religious  guidance,  substi- 
tutes for  home  lite,  and  other  manifold 
comforts  and  necessities.  This  is  the 
service  President  \\  ilson,  Secretary  of 
War  1  laker  and  Secretary  of  Navy 
Daniels  look  to  the  Associations  to 
render. 

For  every  one  of  these  men  life  has 
been  turned  topsy-turvy.  Old  haunts, 
old  habits,  old  friends  have  been  left 
behind.  Many  social  influences  of  re- 
straint have  ceased  to  operate. 

Insofar  as  it,  is  humanly  possible  the 
new  lives  of  these  soldiers  must  be  ra- 
tionalized. Something  of  the  steadying 
influences  of  home  must  be  maintained. 
In  short,  the  break  between  the  old 
normal  life  and  the  st  range  new  soldier's 
life  must  be  tactfully,  securely  bridged. 

The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  program  is  designed 
to  do  just  this  thing  for  our  boys  from 
the  time  (hey  enlist,  right  up  to  the 
firing  line— for  they  must  die  clean  or 
come  back  straight,  if  the  yearnings  of 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  homes  are  to 
be  realized. 

In  the  500  Association  quarters, 
whether  there  be  the  COmmodlOUS  build- 
ings erected  in  permanenl  encampments 
or  the  temporary  accommodations  set 
Up  in  tents,  cellars,  shacks,  or  trench 

dugouts,  the  men  find  that  "somebody 
cares." 

At  the  sign  of  the  Red  Triangle  our 
boys  enjoy  refined  entertainments, 
clever  motion  pictures,  writing  letters 
to  loved  ones,  reading,  lounging,  play- 
ing games,  using  the  talking  machine 
and  piano,  attending  religious  meetings, 
educational  groups,  and  the  spirit  of 
friendliness  that  alw  ays  prevails. 

To  provide  these  few  touches  of 
home,  whatever  be  the  money  cost  of 
doing  so,  is  in  reality  an  insignificant 
service  compared  to  the  sacrifice  these 
men  are  making  for  us. 

Comments  by  National  Leaders 

Secretary  of  State  Lansing  savs:  "It 

[the  war]  has  been  an  opportunity  for  the 
Y.  m.  U  A.  which  was  seized  and  turned 
to  the  best  account. 


EX-PRESIDENT  TAFT  says:  "We 
should  feel  proud  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
work  so  ably  directed.  Are  we  going  to 
be  backward  in  giving  our  men  the  near- 
est thing  they  can  get  to  a  Christian 
home  on  the  firing  line?" 

Major-General  John  F.  O'Ryan  says: 

"Monej  can  be  turned  over  to  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  with  every  confidence  that  it  will 
be  expended  scient  ifically  and  along  lines 
most  acceptable  to  the  soldiers." 

Major-General  J.  Franklin  Bell  says: 

''I  regard  the  5  .  M.  C.  A.  as  being  as 

necessary  as  the  Red  Cross." 

Dr.  Henry  van  Dyke  says:  "It  is  be- 
cause America  is  convinced  that  the  cause 
of  the  Allies  represents  ideals  that  she 
has  soberly  and  firmly  entered  the  war 
at  their  side.  Call  her  a  dreamer  if  you 
will.  At  least  her  dreams  belong  to  the 
spirit  of  Christianity.  And  the  humane 
and  democratic  work  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
has  helped,  and  will  help,  to  make  those 
dreams  a  reality." 

Gipsy  Smith  says:  "The  criticism  of 
those  who  say  that  while  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
is  doing  a  great  social  work  it  is  doing  very 
little  spiritual,  is  not  fair.  The  workers 
are  constantly  engaged  in  spiritual  work 
as  everything  they  are  doing  is  a  means 
to  that  end.  Indeed,  the  Association  has 
accomplished  a  far  bigger  spiritual  work 
than  we  dreamed." 

Major  Gerald  W.  Birks  (Canada): 

"The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  is  an  absolutely  essen- 
tial part  of  the  Allied  army.  Its  work  is 
to  supply  a  touch  of  home;  it  is  a  home 
away  from  home.  It  asks  for  money,  not 
for  itself,  but  to  do  the  work  for  your 
boys  which  you  would  do  for  them  if  they 
were  here." 


What  the  Editors  Have  Been 
Saymg 

"  T7  VERY  Y.  M.  C.  A.  worker  in  the 
1>  camps  and  every  dollar  contrib- 
uted for  the  work  will  add  more  to  the 
fighting  line  than  many  a  drill  sergeant 
or  many  a  dollar  spent  for  weapons  that 
will  be  useless  unless  the  anus  that  wield 
them  are  strong,  the  eyes  that  sight  them 
are  clear,  with  the  strength  and  clarity 
chat  come  from  clean  living." — Springfield 
{Mass.)  Republican. 

"The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  center  provides  just 
those  things  which  go  t  o  make  t  he  home  a 
home — the  place  for  wholesome  recreation, 
for  meeting  on  friendly  hut  self-respecting 
terms,  for  reading  books  and  writing  let- 
ters, for  social  intercourse  which  demands 
no  surrender  and  arouses  no  regret." — 
Troy  (N.  Y.)  Times. 

"The  soldier  by  the  nature  of  his  calling 
is  cut  off  from  many  normal  human  pleas- 
ures, and  of  all  men  he  most  needs  the 
diversions  that  do  not  demoralize  ami  un- 
dermine. The  Y.  M.  ('.  A.  has  an  inv  al- 
uable function.  The  men  now  on  the 
firing  line  cannot  word  their  gratitude  and 
praise  for  its  service  performed.  The  work 
still  to  be  done  is  of  mammoth  propor- 
tions."— Philadelphia  {Pa.)  Public.  Ledger. 

"If  your  boy  were  homesick  in  his  army 
camp,  as  even  the  bravest  are  apt  to  be, 
where  would  you  like  him  to  go?  W  hy, 
to  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  quarters,  of  course  - 
the  nearest  approach  to  home  and  the  old 
home  town.  Wherever  your  boy  and  t  he 
other  boys  may  be  sent  that  big  organiza- 
tion will  be  close  beside  them  with  its 
tonic  atmosphere  of  good  cheer,  sociabil- 
ity and  clean  living." — Grand  Rapids 
(Mich.)  Press. 

"One  of  the  most  humanizing  organized 
activities  of  war  time  is  the  work  of  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  in  army  training  camps,  in 
prison  camps  and  in  camps  behind  the 
firing  line.  The  great  majority  of  the 
members  of  the  new  American  armv  will 
be  boys  of  good  character  and  good  in- 
tentions; but  the  most  of  them  will  have 
need  of  associated  help  to  resist  the  evils 
that  commonly  assail  an  army  camp."— 
Minneapolis  Journal. 

"While  the  boys  are  away,  we  shall  want 
to  think  of  them  as  having  all  the  comforts 
consistent  with  the  life  of  a  soldier.  We 
cannot  serve  them  personally,  but  we  can 
commission  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  to  act  for  us." 
— Council  Bluffs  (la.)  Nonpareil. 

"The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  takes  the  young  man 
into  the  war  a  self-respecting  citizen,  re- 
mains with  him  throuirh  the  struggle  and 
brings  him  out  as  good  as  he  went  in,  and 
probablv  far  nobler  in  character;  does  ll  by 
seeing  that  as  many  civilizing  influences 
as  possible  remain  around  him  during  the 
campaign,  that  the  spirit  of  home  is  never 
absent."— San  Jose  (Cal.)  Herald. 


Ex-President  Roosevelt  says:  "What 

the  Y.  M.  C,  A.  has  been  doing  in  Kurope 
has  been  really  remarkable;  and  now  our 
citizens  should  aid  them  to  do  work  of 
the  same  type  for  our  own  troops." 

What  Soldiers  Say 

RAY  H.  NIESEN  writes  from 
Ouantico,  Vir»>iniii:  "  Through  the 
combined  efforts  of  I'nele  Sam  and  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  we  have  idl  the  comforts  of 
home,  and  1,  for  one,  am  thankful  for 
both." 

"Joe"  writes  from  Camp  Stewarti 

"1  feel  as  if  you  ought  to  know  something 
about  the  work  of  this  life-saver  The 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  Since  the  Y'  shack  was 
opened,  the  Mesa  bar  and  Hill's  place  are 
pretty  well  deserted.  If  you  have  loved 
ones  at  home,  you  just  can't  resist  the 
open  ink  bottles  and  the  pens  and  paper. 
It  makes  you  ashamed  to  think  that  the 
' V  is  more  interested  in  your  loved  ones 
than  you  are.  It  hands  you  out  religion 
in  doses  a  man  can  take.  If  lightens  up 
the  halter  that  gets  loose  when  a  man  gets 
away  from  home.  Who  pays?  I  don't 
know,  but  whoever  if  is,  God  bless  them. 
They  are  t  he  fat  hers  of  thousands  of  boys." 

Carl  Kendall  writes  from  Fort  Slo- 
cum,  N.  Y.r  "Am  writing  this  in  the  Y. 
M.  ('.  A.  building  here.  It  is  a  fine,  up-to- 
date  building,  with  numerous  tables  for 
correspondence  and  reading.   A  library  is 

connected  with  the  reading  room.  Shall 
spend  much  of  mv  spare  time  in  it.  Have 
services  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building  id 
7:30  tonight.   I  shall  attend." 

Francis  H.  Carroll  writes  from 
"somewhere  in  France":  "We  have 
two  canteens  that  are  wonders.  At  these 
places  you  can  get  most  anything  under 
the  sun.  The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  certainly  is 
doing  wonderful  work  for  the  soldiers." 


HAY  THE  BIO  V    M   C.  A.  HUT  IS  A  GODSEND. ''  WRITES  A  SOLDIER 
'  IS— ESPECIALLY  DURING  THE  COLD  WINTER  months 


$35,000,000  Needed 

[LLIONS  of  soldiers  each  month  thank  God  for  the  friendly 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  centers  as  a  relief  from  the  hard,  cold  life  of  the 
camps  and  trenches.  But  it  takes  millions  of  dollars  to  con- 
tinue and  to  extend  this  vital  home  touch — to  keep  these 
home  ties  from  breaking. 
At  (lie  meeting  of  the  National  War  Work  Council  of  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Associations  of  the  United  States,  held  at  the  Bankers 
Club,  in  New  York  City,  September  21,  1917,  and  largely  attended  by 
members  from  every  section  of  the  country,  the  program  for  this  War 
Work  to  July  1,  19 IS,  was  faced  with  solemn  earnestness. 

Reports  based  on  accurate  and  painstaking  investigations  indicated 
that  at  least  $35,000,000  would  be  required  to  meet  the  needs  with  any 
adequateness.  It  was  with  a  sense  of  deep  conviction  and  obligation  as 
well  as  of  confidence  that  the  National  War  Work  Council  voted  unani- 
mously to  set  aside  the  period  November  11th  to  19th  inclusive  to  under- 
take the  raising  of  this  large  sum  of  money — the  largest  ever  called  for  at 
one  time  for  any  similar  purpose. 


It  is  proposed  to  distribute  these  funds  as  follows: 

For  Work  with  U.  S.  Army  and  Navy  Men  in  this  Country  $11,120,000 

For  Work  with  V.  S.  Army  and  Navy  Men  Overseas   11,994,000 

For  V.  M.  ('.  A.  Work  in  the  Russian  Army   3,305,000 

For  Y.  M.  ('.  A.  Work  in  the  French  Army   2,649,000 

For  Y.  M.  ('.  A.  Work  in  the  Italian  Army   1,000,000 

For  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Work  in  the  Prisoner  of  War  Camps   1,000,000 


Total  $31,068,000 

In  addition  to  above  budgets  to  provide  for  inevitable  expansion.  .  .  3,932,000 


Grand  Total  $35,000,000 


The  estimated  cost  of  the  other  phases  of  the  war  to  the  United  States 
government  is  over  $50,000,000  a  day.  Shall  not  the  American  people 
contribute  at  least  $3"), 000, 000  for  nine  months  of  the  constructive  work 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  anions:  American  troops,  among  the  14,000,000  and  more 
troops  of  our  Allies  and  for  the  0,000,000  prisoners  of  war?  Millions  for 
defense  through  war;  millions  also  for  the  defense  of  our  warriors! 


Mighty  Giving  Required 

National  Campaign,  November  11-19 


F  our  boys,  tired,  cold  and  mud-stained,  could  only 
knock  at  your  door  tonight,  how  wonderfully  you 
would  minister  to  them.  With  what  eagerness  you 
would  comfort  and  feed  them.  You  would  do  this 
in  your  homes.  Help  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
to  do  this  for  you  in  the  camps  and  at  the  front — where  you 
cannot  go.  Help  them  by  heroic  giving.  Some  are  giving 
thousands;  others  are  giving  tens  of  thousands,  and  large 
numbers  are  giving  sums  in  proportion  to  their  ability.  All 
should  have  a  share. 

Our  boys  will  give  their  lives  to  make  America  safe  for 
you.  They  will  make  the  supreme  sacrifice  to  preserve  de- 
mocracy. What  will  you  sacrifice  to  give  them  a  touch  of 
home  love  and  cheer,  to  help  keep  the  home  fires  burning  in 
their  hearts  ? 

Whatever  you  can  contribute  should  be  given  quickly. 
The  severe  bitter  months  arc  just  ahead.  The  time  is  short 
in  which  to  meet  the  urgent  needs.  Action  must  be  imme- 
diate. For  the  sake  of  all  that  is  best  give— give  until  it  costs 
sacrifice; — give  as  you  have  never  conceived  possible  hereto- 
fore!— give  for  our  boys  in  khaki! 

Let's  all  do  a  super-bit — now! 

Send  your  contribution 
either  to  the  Treasurer 
of  your  State  Campaign 
Committee  or  to 

CLEVELAND  H.  DODGE, 

Treasurer 

National  War  Work 
Council  of  the 

Young  Men's  Christian 
Associations  of  the 

United  States 
124  East  28th  Street 
New  York  City 

THE  COLD  WEATHER  18  FORGOTTEN  IN  THE  WARM. 
FRIENDLY  INTERIOR  OF  THE  Y.  M.  O.  A.  HUT 


